Patrick Neal

Patrick “Pat” P. Neal, age 72 of Sauk Centre died on August 12, 2019 at CentraCare Health Hospital in Sauk Centre with his family and close friends at his side after a quiet battle with cancer.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 20th at First Lutheran Church, Sauk Centre.  A gathering of family and friends will be from 9:30 – 11 a.m. in First Lutheran Christian Life Center.

Patrick Paul Neal was born December 5, 1946, a son of Donald “Pike” and Lucille “Sue” (Bosshardt) Neal in Melrose, Minnesota.  After high school, Pat enlisted in the United States Navy.  From 1967-1972, he was stationed in San Diego, CA, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Naples, Italy.  He received the National Defense Service medal while he was in the Navy.  Upon his discharge, he returned to Sauk Centre and started working at Northwestern Bell as a Network Technician.  On June 2, 1973, he was united in marriage to Rebecca Sue Sell in Fairfax, Minnesota.  Together, they raised their three children, Meghan, Micah, and Molly at their home in Sauk Centre.

Pat was a hard worker and a very selfless man.  He enjoyed watching and “predicting” the weather. If anyone needed the weather forecast, Pat was the man to call. He enjoyed taking care of his lawn, doing crossword puzzles, watching sporting events – every team from the Minnesota Twins and Vikings to watching Sauk Centre Streeters games but most of all cheering on his grandchildren at track, basketball, baseball, softball and T-ball games.  He truly enjoyed bow hunting and treasured the times he could bow hunt with his son, Micah.   He was an active grandparent!  He enjoyed being the official baby rocker. If the grandkids were playing, “GrandPat” was usually right there playing with them!

He was a member of First Lutheran Church where he had “his chair” for each church service.  He was also a member of the CWA (Communication Workers of America), Telephone Pioneers and the American Legion.

Pat will be deeply missed by his wife of 46 years, Becky of Sauk Centre; three children and their spouses who were extremely close to their father-in-law, Meghan and Ryan Stadsvold, Micah and Laura Neal, and Molly and Todd Anderson, all of Sauk Centre; his cherished grandchildren, Neal and Nadia Stadsvold, Wesley, Otto, and Baby Neal expected February 2020, and Quincy and Kelty Anderson; his siblings, James Neal of Stillwater, Janice (Fred) Voss of St. Michael, Dick (Sue) Neal of West Fargo, North Dakota, and LuAnn (Duane) Rousslange of Sauk Centre; sisters-in-law, Donna Neal of Sauk Centre and Nancy Berg of Minnetonka; and several nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Pat was preceded in death by his father, Donald “Pike” in 1975 and his mother, Lucille “Sue” on March 11, 2019; brother, Kenneth Neal; sister-in-law, Karen Neal; father and mother-in-law, Eldon Sell and Dorothy Baker Sell; sister and brother-in-law, Deanna and Dick Davison; and brother-in-law, James Sell.

Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church.